Mentally Preparing to be the Only Woman in the Room

I’m on a train heading from Philadelphia to New York City for a meeting with a group of high-powered people in the healthcare industry. As usual, I’m taking time to review the attendee list and go over notes on their collective backgrounds. I just realized that I’ll be the only woman in the meeting.

Now I’m giving myself a mental pep talk,

“How do I position myself in the room, how will I get a word in edgewise with this group, will they simply dismiss me? Should I practice my power poses in the restroom to increase my testosterone? Remember, keep your voice directed, loud and low.”

Wow, it takes a lot of energy to do this. I’m sure the male attendees are not going through this exercise before entering the meeting.

I’ve always been drawn to the phrase, “chance favors the prepared,” and I’ve advised women many times on how to prepare for meetings such as this. Unfortunately, often times that means more than just doing the background work. For me I know it’s true, being a woman means spending a lot more of my energy on mental preparation for meetings. Who has felt the same way? What have you done to combat this imposter syndrome?

1 Comment

Interesting blog. Thanks Madeline.
My experience might be somewhat different from a large number of women at CHOP.
I have pretty much been surrounded by males my entire career (I am over 50). It started when I was 15 in high school with 3 girls out of a class of 40, continued in aerospace engineering school with 10% girls, and throughout my career in industry.
I must say it took me a while to adjust to a more feminine environment. 🙂 For one thing I have found that most my men colleagues would not be able to notice if I wore the same outfit two days in a row. Communication has been interesting as well. I have learned a great deal these past 4 years and am hoping my lab benefits from my sometimes direct style. Stronger together, right?